I have found that people don’t mind talking about themselves and telling you stories about their lives and their families. Yet, many Christians have said to me they don’t know how to witness. They have neighbors, family, and work associates who are not Christians, and they are burdened for their souls. Yet, they stumble when it comes to talking about Jesus to them. As always, the Bible gives us an example of how to witness—just tell your story!
In Acts 9:1-18 we find the account of Paul’s conversion. On the road to Damascus, he saw a bright light, and Jesus was speaking to him. Paul trembles at this event because he does not believe Jesus is the Messiah, and now he is confronted with the truth as he is en route to persecute Christians. Paul is struck blind by a bright light, he ask who it is that is speaking to him d the voice says in verse 5 “I am Jesus whom thou persecutes.” In verse 6, Paul’s response is given. Act 9:6 “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Paul surrenders to the will of God and obeys. He had a life-changing encounter with Jesus.
This man was known as a Pharisee, educated in the Hebrew scriptures by a notable Rabbi named Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and a zealous persecutor of Christians. He was born a Jew and a Roman citizen. This was part of his story, and he used it to gain an audience among those in authority or in a rage because he was promoting Christ.
Act 22:1-3 “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man who is a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”
When the angry mob wanted him killed in Acts 21, he stood on the steps of the castle, bound as a prisoner, and preached by sharing his own account of salvation. He gained a listening ear by sharing his qualifications as a Jew and a Roman citizen. Once he had their ear, he shared his story.
Act 21:32-33 “Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.”
Act 21:37a “And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee?”
In Acts 26, he shares his story before Agrippa the King. King Agrippa allows Paul to speak for himself, and Paul seeks to witness to them about his salvation in hopes that they will, too, accept Jesus as their Savior. In verse 28, King Agrippa tells Paul, “Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian.”
Act 26:1-3 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.”
Act 26:28 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
Paul was one of the greatest followers of Jesus in the history of Christianity. He gave us a pattern to use to win others to Jesus. He ministered to those who had nothing and to those who sat on thrones. He knew Jesus’ story of the cross became his story when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. When Paul told his story, he was telling Jesus’s story of redemption, open to all men everywhere.
You don’t need to know how to quote the Roman’s road to salvation or the steps of the F.A.I.T.H. program to win someone to Jesus. While it is better if you do know bible verses to substantiate your words, it is not required. All you need to know is what happened to you. Start with how God convicted you of your sins. Explain how you felt and knew if you did not repent, you would die and spend eternity in Hell. Tell how you experienced unexplainable joy after you prayed to receive Christ. If they have questions you can’t answer, refer them to your pastor or tell them you will get back to them.
If you are a Christian and know you’ve been forgiven, you know enough to lead someone to Jesus. If you don’t, you must study or talk to someone about your salvation. Stop making excuses or allowing fear to keep you from sharing Jesus. God commanded us to witness, and He will equip us to do it. We have the tools we need, the Bible, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, sound Bible teaching churches, and our own story. Get busy and obey. There is no greater feeling other than your salvation than leading someone to Jesus.
John 17:18 “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”
